Home maintenance: Why is my electric heater blowing cold air in house?

One of the things that make winters enjoyable is cozying up to the warmth indoors while the snow falls outside. Unfortunately, that’s hardly possible if your electric heater is blowing cold air instead of warm air.

If you notice this happening in your home, don’t rush to call an HVAC technician just yet. The reason you have an electric heater blowing cold air in house could be one of several simple faults.

In this short read, we’re going to show you how to find out why your heating system is out of whack and what you can do about it.

Causes and remedies

The electric heater is a part of our home’s HVAC system, and like everything else, requires regular maintenance. Let’s take a look at some of the causes of electric heaters blowing cold air and what you as a homeowner can do about it.

Check the filters

Just like with air conditioning, electric heaters also have filters, and if these filters get dirty, it could block the airflow to the heat exchanger. As a result, the whole furnace could overheat and fail to properly heat the air.

Now furnaces have limit switches that get triggered for different reasons. One of them switches the furnace off if the temperature gets too hot. If the furnace has been switched off, you won’t get any hot air through the vents.

The solution is to change the furnace filters. Ideally, you ought to check on the furnace filters at least once a month and change the filters on time to prevent overheating. Here’s how to change the furnace filter.

• Switch off the furnace. 
• The furnace filter is usually located at the back of the furnace, behind an access panel.
• Remove the filter and check its dimensions as printed on the frame.
• Purchase and install a new furnace filter. There are usually arrows indicating the proper airflow direction and which way you ought to face it while installing it.

Check the thermostat 

Sometimes, something as silly as a thermostat setting that you overlooked or got wrong could be why your electric heater is blowing out cold air. Some newer thermostats with automatic settings also make mistakes in judging what the room temperature ought to be. But here are some things that you ought to check on your thermostat.

• Check the fan settings on the thermostat. If the fan is set to “always-on,” it will blow air continuously, even when the heating element is off. Set it to “auto” instead. The temperature setting may also go awry if you need to change the thermostat batteries but haven’t yet.
• Sometimes, the thermostat may not have been properly calibrated with the electric furnace when it was installed. It would help to check your owner’s manual and calibrate it with your furnace once again.

Check your fuses and circuit breakers

Electric furnaces rely on several electrical components. If these components fail or a power surge trips a circuit breaker, it might explain why the furnace blows cold air. These components being damaged may be why your furnace is blowing cold air.

• Locate the electrical panel of the heater. They normally look like large, gray boxes that are hidden from sight in garages or in basements. 

• If your home uses fuses and a fuse has blown, replace it with a fuse of the same amperage, size, and type. 

However, most homes in our country work with electrical circuits instead of fuses. You ought to find a lot of circuit breakers when you open the electrical panel.

One of those is for the main power for your home. You do not want to touch that. Look for the one that powers your furnace. This should be easy to do if the breakers are labeled.

If there has been a power surge, you will find the breaker in the off position. All you need to do is turn it back on.

Check your blower motor

The blower motor drives the fan that pushes warm air through your vents. If it’s malfunctioning, your electric heater could be blowing cold air in house instead of heating the air properly. A faulty blower motor can also cause the system to blow cold air intermittently.

Solution: If the blower motor is damaged, call a professional HVAC technician to inspect and replace it as necessary.

Read more: DIY air conditioner maintenance checklist

Prevention is better than cure

Regular maintenance does not have to wait until things break down and you have a furnace blowing cold air into your home during the winter. Ideally, sticking to a regular maintenance schedule and conducting repairs before the winter months set in will make sure you stay warm and toasty when it starts getting cold. 

Also, keep in mind that furnaces, like all things with mechanical parts, undergo wear and tear. Furnaces typically last 15–20 years, so if your electric furnace is older, it may be time for an upgrade to keep your home warm and comfortable.

Bottom line

If you find your electric heater blowing cold air in house, don’t panic. The issue might be as simple as a clogged filter, an incorrect thermostat setting, or a tripped circuit breaker. Checking and fixing these components can often resolve the problem quickly. However, if the problem persists, it might be time to call in a professional for an inspection. Regular maintenance is key to ensuring your electric heater continues to heat the air efficiently and doesn’t just blow cold air, keeping your home comfortable all winter long.

Written by Narayan Shrouthy. May 6, 2022

Narayan is a content writer for Kukun. With experience in both content writing and editing, Narayan mixes his writing and love for reading with his passion for music. As an active musician, He aims to be a key player in Kukun's content experience.